Tropical Storm Andrea Marks Start of 2025 Hurricane Season

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun with the formation of Tropical Storm Andrea, a system that emerged early Tuesday morning in the central Atlantic. While Andrea poses no threat to land, its development underscores early-season activity in what meteorologists expect to be a notably active year.

Andrea Unlikely to Make Landfall

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed that Andrea formed roughly 2,000 miles east of Florida, traveling northeast at 15–20 mph.

• The storm formed under briefly favorable conditions, but is expected to dissipate quickly.
• Andrea will move into areas with strong wind shear and cooler waters, both hostile to storm development.
• “Andrea’s structure is already weakening, and it likely won’t survive more than a few days,” forecasters said.

Though short-lived, Andrea arrived right on climatological schedule. According to historical data, June 20 is the typical start date for named storms in the Atlantic.

A More Active Season Predicted

While Andrea is not a threat, NOAA’s seasonal outlook for 2025 calls for heightened vigilance.

• The agency forecasts a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season.
• NOAA expects 13 to 19 named storms, of which 6 to 10 may become hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
• This forecast is supported by:
  • Warmer-than-average ocean temperatures (currently exceeding 27°C in key regions),
  • Weaker projected wind shear
  • A stronger West African Monsoon, which often spawns powerful Atlantic systems.

Meteorologist Jim Dickey stated that a quiet start does not indicate a mild season:

“Historically, late-starting seasons still yield major hurricanes. The real activity tends to ramp up from August through October.”

New Forecasting Tools, Same Message: Be Ready

NOAA has upgraded its capabilities for the 2025 season, offering longer lead times and enhanced storm tracking.

• Advisory windows now extend up to 72 hours, giving communities more time to prepare.
• Advanced modeling tools are being deployed to improve the accuracy of storm path and intensity forecasts.

Though Andrea is not expected to impact coastal areas, officials stress that this storm is a seasonal milestone, a signal to coastal residents and freight stakeholders alike to review preparedness plans.

“A slow start doesn’t mean a slow season,” Dickey said. “We’re entering what could be a high-impact year.”

Source: FreightWaves